Draft rigging



Aug. 17, 1943. D. s. BARROWS ETAL. 2,327,240

DRAFTRIGGING Filed March 29,' 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmc/rms -5..Ba.rrow.5,

Aug. 17, 1943. D. s. BARRows ETAL DRAFT RIGGING Filed March 29, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 .La/re,

Dalian/aiv SM1-ands,

Aug, 17, w43. D s, @ARROW ETAL, 2,32%,240

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Marchas, 193s 4 sheets-sheet 3` 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug; 17, w43.,

D. s. BARRows ErAL,

DRAFT RIGGING Filed March 29. 1.959

Patented Aug. 17, 1943 DRAFT RIGGrNG Donald S. Barrows and Albert H. Lake, Rochester, l ,Y N. Y., assignors to The Symington-Gould Corporation, Rochester, N. Y.,

Maryland a corporation of Application March ze, 19s9,'seris1N0. 264,832 11 claims. (o1. 21e-11) The invention pertains to draft riggings for railway vehicles and particularly to the connection between the coupler or drawbar stem and an associated yoke. l

One of the objects of the instant invention is the provision, in a draft rigging, of a pivotal connection between the coupler and yoke, in which the parts may pivot-'freely butI aregheld rmly against relative'longitudinal movement to there- Y by minimize slack in the connection and increase the effectiveness of the draft rigging to such an extent that draft or buiing forces applied to the coupler will be transferred without lost motion to the cushioning unit.

Another object of the invention Vis ythe provision, in a draft rigging, of anV adjustable means in a pivotal coupler-yoke connection, to thereby compensate for wear in the connection which may result from continued use".

An additional object of the invention is the provision, in a railway draft rigging, ofa universal connection betweenthe drawbar or coupler and the associated yoke in order to permit the 'l coupler to move freely in a vertical or horizontal direction with respect to the yoke as well as rotatev on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging in order to` compensate for any service movements of the coupler head from or on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging to which the coupler may be subjected. j

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a draft rigging, of a yoke having a transverse web or wall portion anda hoodr'portion projecting forwardly therefrom, the hood portion being provided with a forwardly opening aperture having a shank or stem portion of an associated coupler extending therethrough, the stem portion of the coupler being formed with lateral extensions positioned inwardly of the hood when in assembled position and in bearing relation with inner surfaces of the hoo-d for the transmission of draft forces from the coupler to the yoke, a removable bearing block positioned within the hood in bearing relation with the rear portion of the coupler for the transmission of bufnng forces frorn'the .coupler to the yoke, and an adjustable means interposed between the bearing block and transverse web so' as to compensate for wear in the coupler-yoke connection which may result therein Vfrom the continued use thereof. l

These and other objects will become apparent from the following 'description considered with the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present specification` to illustrate exemplary forms of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating aportion ofthe draft rigging embodying a form of the invention. i

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan and sectional View of the disclosure illustrated in Figure l, takenalong the lines 2-2 of Figure'll.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view takenY along the lines 3--3 of Figure 2. v

Figure l is aview partially in end elevation and'in section, taken along the lines l-Jl of Figure 2. f Figure `5 is a modiedform of the invention illustrated partially in plan and in section to more `clearly disclose the specific structure,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional'view taken along thelines 6-6 of Figure 5. Y l

Figure '7 is a view taken along the lines 'eL-l of Figure 5. Figure `8 is a fragmentary plan and sectional View disclosing a further modification of the invention.

Figure 9 isa longitudinal sectional View taken along thelines 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary end elevation and sectional view Ytaken along the lines lll- 8 of Figure 3:

Referring now in' detail to theY drawings, wherein'like reference characters indicate like parts, and initially considering the disclosuresl of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the yoke, generally designated as comprises spaced arms 2 adapted to embrace a cushioning mechanism (not shown). The yoke I is illustrated as being of the vertical type, that is, the arms 2 are positioned in longitudinally extending, spaced horizontal planes, but it will be understood, however, that the arms may be rigidly 'united to the side walls of the hood so that the arms would then extend in spaced vertical planes if desirable. The arms are connected together adjacent their forward portions by an intermediate web or transverse wall 3 formed integrally with said arms and providing an abutment or bearing member adapted to engage the forward portion of the cushioning mechanism for the transmission of boiling forces thereto.

Forming a portion of the yoke l is a hood 4 which projects forwardly from the web or wall 3 and is provided with a forwardly opening aperlture 5 positioned on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging for the reception of a stern or shank portion 6 of an associated coupler l, the rear portion only of which is illustrated. The aper- `ture 5 is of sufcient dimensionsto provide adele integraiiy' connected' to the yoke anne 2 and" web 3 and, in order to permit the assembly or disassembly of the coupler and yoke, the lower portions Il of the side and bottom walls areA formed as an integral, substantially U-shaped,

member which is adapted tol'je removably' se-V cured to the remaining integral portion f2 of the hood in interlocked relation thereto, as will be hereinafter more fully described.. The juncture between the removable and integralp'ortions lll and l2, respectively, extends through the side j walls 9 of the hood desirably in a horizontal direction substantially on` the longitudinal axis of the hood so'as to bisect the' aperture 5 and then through the side walls 9 and 'bottoni wallA lo in a vertical direction intermediate the extreme front portion of the'hood andY the' transverse web The integral portion of the hood l2 and the removable portion It are restricted against unwarranted vertical separation primarily by means of laterally spaced bolts i3 extending through vertically alignedapei'tured shoulders I3'C1A and IIb provided on the integral and removable portions respectively, while the portions are pardaily restricted against longitudinal separation by means of laterally spaced bolts I4 extending through aligned apertures; provided in the lugs I4 and Mb which project downwardly from the integral and removable portions respectively. Shear 'or retaining lugs l5 provided on the upper and inner corners of the removable portion H extend into complementary slots I5'a formed in the integral portion I2 so as to assist in restricting the longitudinal separation of the portions and to diminish the tensional stresses in the bolts I4 and the sheai' stresses in the bolts i3 which will result therein from the application of draft forces to the coupler. l .Y

T transmit draft forces from the" coupler l to the yoke l the stein has, adjacent'the'rear eitremity thereof, an enlarged portion or lateral extension l positioned within .the hood and provided with a convex surface HinV bearing relation and concentric with a concave surface I8 formed on the inner surface of the hood and surrounding the aperture 5l The surfaces l1 and Il are preferably spherical forin and concen= ,tric with respect to one another. rihufs, when the coupler is moved, during service, in a vertical or horizontal direction the coupler 'stem and yoke will, by reason of the concentricty of the sur- Yfaces Il and I6., maintain a surface contact at all times and thereby provide an adequate bearfing area between the coupler stem and yoke for the transmission of dra-ft forces.

The rear extremity le of the coupler stem 8, i'y

for-med preferably with a spherically disposed surface Sie which is' concentric with the surfaces I'I and i3, is retained on the longitudinal axis of the draft riggingby means of an upper lug 2| depending from the top wall 3 of the integral portion l2 and an cppositely disposed lower lug 22 upstanding from the bottoni. wall portion lil of the removable portion ll; Both of the lugs 2l and 22 are preferably spaced inwardly of the lateral extension` i8 intermediate thefront portion'cf the hood and the vertical axis of the spherically disposed portion 2G in order to assist in the transmission of draft forces from the coupler to the yoke in addition to resisting the leverage action of the extremity lf3 of the coupler stem. The lugs Ei and 22 are provided with concave, preferably spherical, surfaces 23 and; 2d, respectively, which. are concentric with the" rear surface 2t of the couplers-teni so as to present additional surface engagements between the coupler stem and yoke during all movements of the coupler from the normal longitudinai axis of the draft rigging and thereby increase the bearing area betwcer'il the coupler and yoke.

A. removable thrust or bearing block 25, positioned between Athe rear extremity is of the coupler stem and transverse wall of the yoke, is provided with a concave spherical surface 2S which is concentric and in bearing relation with theV arcuate surface 2d of the rear portion 59, thereby permitting universal movement of thc coupler as well as providing an adequate bearing area between the coupler stern and bearing block for the transmission of bur'ing forces.A The bearing block, which is adapted to' be adjustably movable longitudinally of the draft rigging, is further provided with a rearwardly extending dowel 2l which projects into an associated aperture 28 in the web A3 thereby acting asy a guiding means in addition to retaining the bearing block on the longitudinal-,axis of the draft rigging,

- In order to compensate for slight manufacturing tolerances in the elements forming the present structure, as wellas for wear which may result in the various parts from the continued use thereof, shim plates 28 are interposed between the web and the bearingrblock 25, vhich will control or substantially eliminate the slack or longitudinal movement of the coupler with respect to the yoke by retaining the block in a predetermined position longitudinally of the draft rigging y the application of the shim plates 2S itV will be readily observed that an adjustable means has been provided whereby the convex surface A253 of the stem extremity l5 may be retained, both during hurling or draft actions, in bearing vrelation with the convex surface 25 of the bearing block 25 and the concave surfaces 3 andj 2li of the lugs 2l and 22, respectively. The adjustable positioning of the block 25 by means of the shim plates 29 also affords a substantially constant bearing relation between the surfaces ll and I8. l

Referring now in detail to the modied structure disclosed by Figures 5 to 7, inclusive, the 'yoke or yoke-acting means, generally designated l2, comprises a pair of vertically spaced arms '2a adapted to be connected to a cushioning mechanism (not sho'wn) in any desirable manner for the transmission of draft for' es thereto. It is not the intention to limit the present strucure to a vertical disposition of the arms 2ef and for this reason it will be understood that the arms may'equ'ally as well be positioned horizontally,

The 'arms 2e 'are connected at their forward extremities by a transverse wall or web 3a positioned intermediate the ends of the yoke Ia forming an abutment or bearing member for the cushionin'g unit. The wall or web sa also forms a reinforcing-member which retains the arms 2a in spaced relation as well as being adapted to transrmit bufling forces 'to the cushioning unit. The forward portion of the yoke VIa is preferably formed as an integr-al hood 4.@ comprising a top wall 8a, spaced side Walls ilEL and a .bottom wall |099 which-project forwardly from theweb 3a, said hood 'being` provided with a forwardlyopening aperture a adapted to receive the stem portion ta of a coupler la, the rear portion only of which is illustrated, The hood .4a of the present modified structure differs somewhat from the hood 4 of the previously described structure in that, instead of being formed of two pieces, it is desirably formed as a unitary member integral with the web Se and arms 2a. It will, however, be understood that if so desired the two-piece hood 4 may be substituted for the unitary hood aa, as it is not the present intention to limit each disclosure to the specific associated constructions as illustrated.

The coupler stem 5a is provided with oppositely disposed lateral extensions H3gu positioned adjacent the rear extremity thereof and inwardly of the hood a when assembled with the yoke la so as to engage the inner portion of the hood for the transmission of draft forces `from the coupler to the yolre. In order to permit the outer portion of the coupler or coupler head to move in a vertical or horizontal direction from the normal longitudinal axis of the draft rigging and still maintain afull surface bearing relation between the extensions it@ and the hood, convex spherical surfaces lle, formed on the extensions la, are made preferably concentric with concave spherical surfaces Nia on the top and bottom walls 8a and ma, respectively, which partially define the aperture 5a inwardly of the hood. v

The aperture 5a, as will be observed by referring particularlyV to Figures 5 and 6, is of sufficient dimensions to allow` suitable clearance between the coupler stem and hood 4@ so as to permit the unrestricted universal movement of the coupler with respect to the yoke. The aperture 5a is preferably formed elongated, that is, a greater amount of clearance is provided between the sides of the coupler stem and theside walls 9EL of the hood than is normally required for the free movementof the coupler during service. purpose of elongating the ,aperture 5a is to facilitate the assembly of the various parts employed in the coupler-yoke connection.

To assemble the coupler with the yoke, the coupler is rotated axially or on its longitudinal axis through anarc of 90 degreesfrom normal position in order to positionzthe lateral extensions lte horizontally. The coupler stem is thenV aligned with the aperture 5a and moved: rearwardly until the extensionsy Iii? are within the hood, at which time the coupler is rotated back to its normal position. The coupler and yoke will then be restricted againstJ longitudinal separation by reason of the extensions i621 engagingthe top and bottom walls of the hec The rear extremity lila' of the coupler stem, being spherically disposed, has a convex surface 291 preferably concentric with the surfaces Il and Elia, thereby forming, as in the previously described structure, all of` the arcuate surfaces about a common center in order to permit the free universal movement of the coupler with respect to the yoke and associated parts, the latter of lwhich will bevhereinafter described.

VPositioned in arrear of the extremity of the coupler stem and acting as a medium forthe transmission Cf bufng forces from the coupler to the yoke is a bearing or thrust block a which is adjustably movable longitudinally of the hood. The bearing block, inserted into the hood through the aperture 5a and removably secured therein, is

The

lli

formed vwith a forwardly opening concave spherical surface 26a `concentric with and adapted to engage theV convex surface 20a. of the coupler stern. The block 25a further functions as a supportA for the extremity ISL* for the purpose of retaining the rear portion of the couplerstem substantially on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging thereby resistingY the leverage action of the extremity illab of the coupler stem during movements of the coupler from the normal longitudinal axis thereof. The block 252L is restricted against vertical displacement in an upward direction by the guide or positioning lug 2 Ia which depends, inwardly of the hood, from the top wall 3i1A and in a downward direction by the guide or positioning lug 22a upstanding within the hood from the bottom wall ma, while horizontal displacement of the block is restricted by the spaced side wallsy 9a of the hood.

An adjustable wedge 30, also inserted into the hood through the aperture 5a, is interposed between the block 25a and the transverse web 3a for the transmission of buing forces from the coupler and block to the yoke. The wedge lStil, adapted preferably to move in a vertical direction, is provided with an inclined forward face 3l in bearingV relation with a similarly inclined face 32 on the .block 25a so as to move the block to such a position longitudinally of the draft rigging that the slack in the coupler-yoke connection will be controlled or, in other words, prevent movement of the coupler in a longitudinal direction with respect'to the yoke.

Forming a positive means for retaining the wedge '30 in a predetermined or desired position, a bolt 33, which is inserted into the hood through the aperture 3d in the top wall, has a head portion 35 engaging the top'portion of the wedge'to restrict the upward movement of the wedge. The stem 3?: of the bolt, extending through a vertically disposed aperture 31 in the wedge and an aligned aperture 3B in the bottom wall ie, is provided with a nut 39 on the free end thereof Which is in bearing relation with the bottom wallva. A compression springV 40 encircling `the bolt stemis interposed between the bottom wall lila and the bottom portion of the wedge in order to retain the wedge in an elevated position against the boltv head 35.

it will be observed that,by a manipulation of the nut 39 so as to shorten the effective length of the lbolt 33, the' wedge 30 maybe urged downwardly and,` by reason of the inclined faces 3l and-22 on' the wedge and block, respectively, the block '5a may be urged forwardly in a longitudinal direction. By thus predetermining the vertical location of the wedge Sii, and consequently thehorizontal location of the block 25a, the surfaces 2ta and 29a, aswell as the surfaces Il? and i8, can at all times-be easily retained in bearing relation and thereby provide an adjustable means to compensate for wear in the connection which may result therein from continued use. Apertures M are provided in the bottom wall Ilia of the hood for the inspection of the various parts Vwithin the hood as well as for the escape of any foreign substance that may enter the hood through the apertures 5a or 3d.

Considering now in detail the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 to l0, inelusive, the yoke or yoke-acting means, generally designated as I b, is somewhat similar to the pre-- viously described yoke la and comprises vertically spaced longitudinally extending arms Eb adapted to have interposed therebetween a cushioning structure. The hood tb in the instant structure is also formed as a unitary member comprising a top wall 8b, spaced side walls Sb and a bottom wall Ib which, at their forward extremities, dene an elongated aperture 5b adapted to accommodate an associated shank or stem portion 6b of a coupler ib, the rear portion only of which is illustrated. Y

Disposed on opposite sides of the coupler stem 6b and positioned adjacent the rear extremity thereof, are extensions iSb projecting laterally of the coupler Stem within the hood 4b and adapted to engage inner portions of the hood for the transmission of draft forces applied to the draft rigging from the coupler to the yoke. The lateral extensions iib are provided with convex spherical surfaces Ilb in bearing relation and Ypreferably concentric with juxtapositioned concave spherical surfaces lSb which are formed on the top Wall Bb and bottom wall 10b, respectively, and partially dene the aperture 5b inwardly of the hood. Thus, by reason of the concentricity of the surfaces IIb and ib, the coupler will be permitted to move with respect to the yoke in a vertical or horizontal direction as well as rotate torsionally. The portions of the top and bottom walls defining the aperture 5b are spaced from the coupler stem an amount suihcient to provide ample clearance therebetween for the coupler to move in a vertical direction from the normal longitudinalY axis of the draft' rigging through the normal range of displacement to which the coupler may be subjected inservice. The portions of the side walls 9b deiining the aperture 5b are spaced from the sides of the coupler stem a greater amount than that required for clearance necessary'to permit the unrestricted horizontal movement of the coupler from the normal longitudinal axis of the draft rigging. The purpose of thus formingthe aperture 5b elongated is to facilitate the introduction of the rear extremityV or vthe coupler stem to within the hood, which may be accomplished by rotating the coupler on its longitudinal axis through an arc of 90 degrees from its normal position so as to dispose the lateral extensions |61 in a horizontal direction. The coupler stem is then aligned with the aperture 5b and moved rearwardly until the extensions `are within the hood, at which time the coupler is returned to its normal position thereby disposing the extensions in a vertical direction adaptedto engage the top and bottom Walls of the yoke andprevent the longitudinal separation of the coupler and yoke, as most clearly illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. Y The rear extremity I8b of the coupler stem S is formed with a spherically disposed surface Zlib preferably concentric with the surfaces 'Hb and |8b and in bearing relation with a concentric concave spherical surface 26b provided in a thrust or bearing block 25b positioned in arrear of the coupler stem within the hood. The thrust or bearing block 25b, which is introduced into the Vhood through the aperture 5b, forms a means of retaining-.and supporting the extremity lSb on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging during vall movements of the coupler, in addition to transmitting buing shocks from the coupler to the yoke. As in the previously described modified structure, the block b, which resists the leverage action of the extremity lb of the coupler stem, and is adjustably movable longitudinally of the hood, is restricted against vertical displacement in an upward direction by means of the guide or positioning lugs 2lb which depend inwardly of the hood from the tcp wall Sb and in a downward direction by guide or positioning lugs 22b upstanding from the bottom wall Ib toward the block, while horizontal displacement of the block is restricted by the spaced side walls 9b of the hood. v

in order to control the slack in the coupleryoke connection or, in other words, to compensate for wear in the connection which may result from continued use thereof and thereby retain the bearing surfaces of the coupler stem, hood and bearing block in contact relation at all times to prevent the longitudinal movement of the coupler with vrespect to the yoke, a wedge b is interposed between the block 25b and the transverse web Sb. The wedge which is also introduced into the hood through the aperture 5b, further functions as a means for transmitting buiing shocks applied to the coupler from the block Zb to the web 3b. To provide for the adjustable longitudinal movement of the block 25b in order to retain a vconnection between the coupler and yoke, free from slack, the wedge 30, which is adapted to move preferably in a vertical direction, has the forward face Sib thereof inclined and in bearing relation with a similarly inclined face 32a formed on the block, as most clearly illustrated in Figure 9.

The wedge 39a is urged in an upward direction, tending to urge the block horizontally by reason of the inclined faces 3|a and 32, by means of the compression spring 4G@ which extends into a vertically disposed pocket 3l@ provided in the wedge. The spring is introduced into the pocket 37b through an aperture 38a in the bottom wall ll'bof the hood and retained therein by a suitable spring cap 42 which occupies the aperture 38a and is formed with a positioning boss 3 extending within the spring.

The aperture 38a, defined by an annular web 4f! projecting downwardly from the bottom wall its, is provided withv a plurality of intermittently spaced aligned apertures wand 45, the horizontal axes of the aligned apertures 45 being at a higher elevation than, and at right angles to, the horizontal axis of the aligned apertures 4B. The spring cap #i2 is also provided with horizontally disposed apertures 4l and i8 having their axes also disposed in spaced vertical elevations and at right angles to each other, the purpose of which is to position thev spring seat in various elevations and thereby restore the initial compressive value in the spring 46a as the wedge 30a moves upwardly as the result of the horizontal movement of the block required to compensate for any wear which may result in the connection. The spring seat is retained in a predetermined position by means of a pin 49 which may extend through the apertures 48 in the spring seat and aligned apertures i6 in the web 44 for retaining thespring seat in its lowermost position. As the wedge Bile moves upwardly the pin 49 may then be removed and the spring seat is aligned with clearly in Figures the apertures 45 in `tliedeweb, asY showr'iy ,most Y 'Y 9 andwlO," at; which time the pinmay then'fbe reinserted into the aligned apertures 48 and 45, therebyretaining the spring seat fata higher elevation than =in the previously -described position and consequently restoringV the initial ycompressive value in the spring.y The spring seat may be retained'at a higher eleva- V tion by-aligning the aperture 41 Vinthe spring seat with the oppositely disposed apertures 46l` in the `web 44, and at astill higher elevation by aligning thev aperture 41 in the Vtures 45 in the web 44. l i

It willbejobserved, from the preceding descripspring lseat with the-'aper- Y tion, that al connection has been provided between a coup-ler and ging that minimizes effectively reduces the longitudinal movement of the coupler with respect to the yoke, andthereby yoke in a railway draft rig- `con`sequently increases the effectiveness offthe draft rigging to such an extent that thedraft or buning forces, when applied to the coupler, will be transferred vwithout'lo'stV motion to the 4cushioning unit. It will be further observedthat a universal connection has been provided between a VVcoupler and yoke inV order tofcompensate'forY all movements that ythe coupler maybe subjected toinserviceqV A It will, of course, "be understood 'that merely exemplary forms of the invention have been illustrat'ed and vdescribed and that various alterations, lchanges and rearrangements of parts may be made to the disclosed structures without depart- Y of the appended claims.

ing from within the scope We claim: i I l. ln a railway draft rigging, in combination, a

yoke having a transverse wall 'and-a hood portion projecting outwardly from saidwall, said hood portion having a forwardly opening aperture defined by an innerbonoav'g spherical `sur,- face andfintermediate concave spherical surfaces spaced from said inner surface', a coupler stern projecting through said aperture adapted te move slack inthe connection 4or v -ayoke having a transverse wall and a two-piece Y universally with respect to the yoke vand provided with lateral extensions in bearing relationwith said` inner concave surface andfa rear'cor-ivex spherical surface invbearing relation with said intermediate concave surfaces, and a removable bearing block interposed between said coupler stem rearsurface 'and' transverse wall". Y 2. In a railway draft rigging, incombination, a yoke having a transverse wallfand a hoody portion projecting outwardly from said wall, said hood portion having a forwardly opening aperture dened by an inner concave spherical surface and intermediate concave spherical surfaces spaced from said inner surface, a coupler stem projecting through said aperture adapted to move universally with respect to the yoke and provided with lateral extensions having surfaces concentric and in bearing relation with said inner concave surface land a rear convex spherical surface `in bearing relation with said intermediate concave surfaces, a bearing block provided with a concave spherical surface in bearing relation with the rear convex surface of said coupler stein, and means verso wall, in, order to retain said bearing block in a predetermined position longitudinally of said e draft rigging.

' tion projecting outwardly from said wall, said hood portion having'a forwardly opening aperture defined by an inner concave spherical surren interposed .between said bearing block and trans- Y 5 face and intermediate concavel spherical surfaces spaced fromsaid innersurface, a coupler stem `projecting through said aperture "adapted to rotate about its 'longitudinal axis and provided with lateral extensions havingsurf'aces concentric and in bearing relation with said inner concave surface and a rear convex spherical surface in bearing relation with said intermediate concavesurfaces, and a bearingblock interposed between said coupler stem and transverse wall, said bearing block being provided with'anintegral dowel eX- "tendin'g through a complementary aperture in 'said transverse wall, thereby retainingsaid block onv the longitudinal axis of said draft rigging.

Il. In a railway draft rigging,jin combination, 'a yoke having a transverse web and a two-piece hood portion projecting outwardly from said web, rearwardly extending arms' formed integral with said transverseweb, a forwardiy opening aperture insaid hood den'ed by Yan inner concave spherical surface, va couplerstem extending throughsaid aperture adapted to move universally with respect to the`yoke, llateral extensions on said C Ollpler stem positioned within said hood having surfacesr concentric with and engaging said innerV u concave surface, said lateral extensions being of greater horizontal extent than said forwardly facilitating the positioning fof said lateral extensions lwithin said hood: v

'5. In a` railway draftriggg, in combination,

hoodportion projecting outwardly from said wall having ya forwardly opening aperture, Asaid -hood being formed with a portion-integral with said transverse wall and a portion detach'ably secured to said integral portion, said integral portion having ldownwardly opening slots fol-'the accommcdation of' shear lugs on said detachable por- Y tion; said aperture being defined by van inner concave spherical surface and having a couplerstem lateral extensions on i extending therethrough' said coupler stern positioned within said hood and having concentricV surfaces engaging said concaveusurface, andja bearing blockinterposedbetween said coupler stem and transversewall, said coupler stem beingjadapted to move universally with respectto the yoke. i i

6. In a ,railway draftvrigging, in combination, a'yoke having a vtransverse member and a hood member projecting outwardly from said transverse member, said hood member having a forwardly opening aperture and an inner concave spherical surface defining said aperture, a coupler adapted to move universally with respect to said yokeV having a stem lportion projecting through said aperture, said coupler` stem being provided with lateral extensions having convex spherical surfaces in bearing relation with said inner concave surfaces, and an arcuate rear portion concentric with said inner concave surfaces, a bearing member provided with a concave spherical surface in bearing relation with the arcuate rear portion of the coupler stern, adjusting means interposed between said bearing member and transverse member, in order to compensate for wear which may result therein from continued use, and means integral with one of said members and engaging one of the other of said mem- 

